Effects of infestation by Argeia pugettensis Dana, 1853 (Isopoda, Bopyridae) on the growth and reproduction of the sand shrimp Crangon hakodatei Rathbun, 1902 (Decapoda, Crangonidae) in South Korea

This study investigated possible parasitic effects on growth, reproduction and external sexual characters induced by a bopyrid isopod Argeia pugettensis Dana, 1853, which parasitizes the branchial chamber of the sand shrimp Crangon hakodatei Rathbun, 1902 in South Korea. Total infestation rate was 5.7%. The sizes of infected female and male hosts were similar compared to those of uninfected hosts. A. pugettensis showed size-specific selection for hosts. The relationship between host and parasite length was significantly positive. Several effects of parasitization were observed on C. hakodatei parasitized by A. pugettensis. In female hosts, parasitic effects were observed in growth (increased growth), internal organ development (immature gonads) and external sexual characters (no breeding dress). In male hosts, parasitic effects were observed on growth (increased growth) and development of external sexual characters (smaller appendix masculina).